The Best Car Chargers
Phones are an essential part of modern life, and, much to our collective chagrin, we have to keep them charged at all times. So for those with cars that lack a USB-charging port, we recommend a quality car charger. These affordable chargers pop into your car's auxiliary power outlet and can juice up those mobile devices in a snap. There are tons of options on the market, so we decided to whittle down the list to the very best of the best. Read on to discover our favorite car chargers.
What to Look For
In our research, we found that the best chargers are durable, charge fast, and offer more than one port. If you’re looking for a compact design, look no further than Ainope’s car charger. It sits perfectly flush in your cigarette lighter and is available in a variety of colors. For those who need more than one charger, consider Ailkin’s two-pack option. It’s compatible with the last smartphones and charges your phones with lightning speed. Read on to learn more about our favorite picks. We’re sure you’ll find the right charger for your needs.
Ainope Car Charger
Small and mighty
For those who like a tidy car, consider this slim and compact pick from Ainope. This dual-USB charger sits perfectly flush in a car outlet, taking up as little space as possible. Constructed entirely out of metal and sporting subtle blue LEDs, this pick can really contribute to a sleek-looking interior. And if style is your aim, Ainope offers several different colors and designs. Of course, we wouldn’t recommend a charger on looks alone. This inexpensive unit sports dual charging and fast, reliable speeds.
Pros:
- This low-profile charger takes the “less is more” approach by adding a sleek, subtle touch to your car’s interior. With as many distractions as there are in modern cars, we’ll take simplicity where we can get it.
- All-metal construction contributes to this charger’s cool look and durability. It feels substantial without being heavy, as opposed to the toy-like feeling of some plastic chargers.
Cons:
- There’s no smart chip in this one, though it still charges quickly at a combined speed of 4.8A.
Hussell Dual Port Qualcomm Quick Charge
No time to waste
If you need a charger that will juice up your devices as fast as possible, you better go with Hussell, the charger that “hustles” to get your phone charged. Thanks to Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology, this pick sports a smart chip to interpret your device and deliver the speediest charging time. Obviously, it has its limits, but for the vast majority of devices, Hussell gets the job done well. Better yet, this charger sports a second port, so you can stop fighting with your travel companion over who gets to charge. For such a small price and size, this car charger packs a powerful punch.
Pros:
- The “fast-charging” port isn’t a gimmick — this thing really does charge phones quickly. For rushed mornings and short commutes, it’s hard to beat this Hussell.
- This charger sports a second 2.4A port so that you can charge two devices simultaneously. Carpool, anyone?
Cons:
- Only one of the ports has the smart chip for a fast charge — the second port is a bit slower.
Ailkin Car Charger Two-Pack
Twice the power, half the cost
These days, it’s not uncommon to have more than two devices. That’s why we recommend this two-pack from Ailkin. At the price of a single charger, this option offers two chargers, each with two USB charging ports. That means if you have two free “cigarette lighter” ports in your car, you can charge up to four devices simultaneously. Better yet, the design is sleek, compact, and undeniably stylish. Family road trips just became a whole lot easier.
Pros:
- One touch that we really appreciate is that the connection LED isn’t distractingly bright, so we can keep our eyes focused on the road while we charge.
- The low-profile design blends in seamlessly with even high-end interiors, and we love the available color choices. There is a lot less squabbling over whose charger is whose when yours is bright pink.
Cons:
- One of the USB ports is 1.0A, and the other is 2.4A, so you have to make sure to plug into the faster one to get a fast charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this charger work with my device?
This question pops up a lot, and the answer is almost always yes. As long as you have the appropriate USB charging cable for your device, any of the options on our above list should work with few exceptions. Some phones won’t support newer smart devices’ adaptive fast charging feature, but they’ll likely still charge at normal speeds.
How does amperage relate to charging speeds?
Without delving into the physics of electricity, it’s safe to say that the higher the amperage of a charger, the faster it will charge your device. So, a 5.2A charger will charge your phone faster than a 2.4A charger. However, many caveats play into this, such as the charging cable used and the actual output of the car’s outlet. Also, when you charge multiple devices on the same charger, the amperage is often split across the different ports. “Smart” chargers with smart chips will interpret the connected device to determine the optimal amperage and wattage to deliver the fastest possible charge.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.